pessimistic

[pes-uh-mis-tik]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by pessimism or the tendency to expect only bad outcomes; gloomy; joyless; unhopeful.

   His pessimistic outlook kept him from applying for jobs for which he was perfectly qualified.

   Synonyms: hopeless, despairing

Other Word Forms

• pessimistically adverb
• nonpessimistic adjective
• nonpessimistically adverb
• overpessimistic adjective
• overpessimistically adverb
• unpessimistic adjective
• unpessimistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimistic¹

First recorded in 1865–70; pessimist + -ic

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

This week, China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign to curb social media posts that "excessively exaggerate negative and pessimistic sentiments".

From BBC

Tackling a pessimistic public mood also requires more than policies.

From BBC

Palestinian politics has ossified in the meantime, leaving most Palestinians cynical about their leadership and pessimistic about the chances of any kind of internal reconciliation, let alone progress towards statehood.

From BBC

"I don't want to be pessimistic, and I don't want to sensationalise this, but I really am concerned about the issue we find ourselves in," said Mr Richards.

From BBC

But the film also left me pessimistic about where we’re headed.

From Salon

Related Words

• bleak 
• depressed 
• despondent 
• discouraged 
• fatalistic 
• gloomy 
• glum 
• sad